18 Feb 2015

Wednesday Words #3

I saw this phrase whilst browsing the other day and it struck a chord with me. If you've followed my blog for a while, you'll be very aware that I am at my happiest when outdoors, preferably in the middle of nowhere and up a mountain.Being outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle is one of the most therapeutic things I can think of. Nature provides the space to think completely freely; it is a place to escape the things which remind you of daily stresses and worries. I find that being immersed in nature heightens my senses and I notice so much more when I am removed from the constant bombardment of man made stimuli.Nature is also a great humbler; being next to a vast valley, under the stars or beside a roaring river can really put a lot of things into perspective. It can remind you of how small you are in relation to the vastness of the world and makes mundane worries seem insignificant.This John Muir quote puts my thoughts on nature as a healer in such a beautiful way:"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn."Having felt pressure from work and general life things recently, I managed to get away and spent some time on a wild and wintry beach. True to form, my cares did just drop away.